I recently took a trip to Washington, D.C. and ordered take-out roasted chicken with a spicy Aji Verde sauce from a hole-in-the-wall Peruvian restaurant. I've been pining for more Peruvian food ever since.

Upon returning at home, I did some searching and found more South American restaurants than I had anticipated. El Chullo recently opened near Central Phoenix and there are a bunch of places peppered throughout the East Valley.

I decided to head West to Mi Comida Restaurante Latino, a small 6-8 table restaurant in a strip mall just East of 43rd Avenue on Bell serving mostly Peruvian and Ecuadorian fare, but also items from Bolivia and Venezuela.

The counter area at Mi Comida is papered in Best of awards from years past (including a Best Latin American Restaurant from Phoenix New Times in 2011). Ecuador tapestries line one wall. There's a curio cabinet with flags and trinkets on another. Carved wall hangings and Peruvian plaques flank the wooden table and chairs. The decor feels as if you're visiting a traveling relative's home...which doesn't feel far from the truth.

On the weekday I visited, an older gentleman served as host and waitstaff. Nothing was happening too quickly, but that was okay. The place was full, and no one (including myself) seemed to be in a big hurry.

Carrie Wheeler

The Arepa con Queso (left) and Empanada con Puerco.

The food:

The menu is expansive featuring dishes from Peru and Ecuador; Often the same dish is offered both ways.

Upon sitting down we were given a bowl of warm tortilla chips paired with a ramekin of fresh salsa that was so light and delicious, we downed it entirely before we had even placed our order.

My dining companions and I started off our meal with Peruvian Ceviche de Pescado ($10.95) -- a light and refreshing salad with chunks of whitefish, onions, cilantro and celery in a lime-y marinade. All were served over romaine leaves and topped with a roasted sweet potato slice and white potato (both cold). On the side, some Yuca and corn on the cob (both warm). The salad was refreshing and light; a perfect meal for a warm Arizona day.

Next, we sampled an Empanada con Puerco and a Arepa con Queso (each $2.15). The former had a light and flakey crust with some unexpected sweetness and heat. My fellow diner described the arepa as a "light and fluffy grilled cheese sandwich in the best possible way."

Carrie Wheeler

The Ecuadorian Churrasco.

The Ecuadorian Churrasco ($11.95) was a sum of its parts. The steak itself was a size-y piece of seasoned meat. Alone, it was nothing special, but it's all about the accompaniment: a fried egg, sweet plantains, tomato, French fries, avocado and rice. Eaten all together, it's magic.

The Seco de Pollo ($7.39) is a chicken stew served with yellow rice and roasted plantains. The meat was a little tough, but the sauce had great flavor and I'm a sucker for anything paired with a sweet plantain.

The menu is vast. We'll head back to try the tamales or one of the many fish entrees (grilled, fried or wrapped in banana leaves). I was also intrigued by the Sanduche de Puerco (Pork Sandwich) served with yuca fries.

Kid-friendly?:

Mi Comida has a high chair and there are plenty of menu items that are child-friendly (see the fluffy grilled cheese above).